Former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi await the first-instance verdict from the Specialist Chambers in The Hague today. The hearing starts at 10:00 and will be public, while the online broadcast will be made with a 10-minute delay in Albanian, English and Serbian. The four are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including persecution, imprisonment, torture, murder and enforced disappearance. They have denied the charges, while the Prosecution has requested sentences of 45 years in prison for each. The defense has requested their acquittal.
In the wake of the decision, messages of support for the former KLA leaders have increased in Kosovo. A billboard with their photo and the message "Liberators - bring them home" has been placed in the center of Pristina.
Reactions have also come from family members. Gresa Krasniqi, the daughter of Jakup Krasniqi, published a video of her daughter kissing her grandfather's portrait, accompanied by a message expressing her longing and pride for her father.
Today's verdict comes after a several-year court process and constitutes the first instance decision in the case against four former KLA leaders.
